President Harding, in reply to a message from Lenin last
week, refused point-blank to negotiate with the Bolsheviks for the resumption of trade. In a note sent on Good Friday, the Secre- tary of State said that Russo-American commerce could not revive " so long as the present causes of progressive impoverish- ment continue to operate." Russia must begin again to produce, but production depended upon " the safety of life, the recog- nition by firm guarantees of private property, the sanctity of contract, and the rights of free labour." In other words, Russia must be freed from the Communist Terror. Until the American Government had "convincing evidence" of such a change, they could not have any dealings with Russia. Mr. Harding thus maintains Mr. Wilson's attitude towards the Bolshevik&